HZDS Sympathizers Attack Young People

BRATISLAVA (SITA) - Regular Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS) rally at Pasienky started without Movement Chair and Slovak Prime Minister Vladimír Mečiar on Thursday. Movement Vice-Chair Augustín Marián Húska excused Mečiar by words "he has got some business to do and also he has some health indisposition." TV Markíza reporter confirmed for SITA that Mečiar came to Pasienky, but after nervous gesture he immediately left. Slovak Ambassador to the Czech Republic Ivan Mjartan also showed up at the surprisingly not full-hall rally. Interior Minister Gustáv Krajči, Culture Minister Ivan Hudec, Agriculture Minister Peter Baco and Vice-Premier Sergej Kozlík came to meet HZDS followers. Slovak Television's Bronislav Tesařík anchored the meeting replacing previous rally host Gabo Zelenay. Húska said Mečiar is a politician who leads a stream of self-determination in national history and appealed on the participants to protect Vladimír Mečiar. Making a link to the 4th Conference on Biodiversity, Húska said not only plant and animal species should be protected but also national interests of some countries that are about to amalgamate into European organizations. Some young people interrupted Sergej Kozlík's address by slogan "Mečiar lies." The participants physically attacked the young people and threw them out from the hall. Kozlík also communicated that in June the Slovak Cabinet will elaborate and submit to Parliament a report on its achievements and fulfillment of the promises that it gave to the public four years ago.